“I’m honoured,” Konstantin said, and yawned with great theatrical effort.
Chairs moved. Belongings gathered.
“Tau. Konstantin. Stay back,” I said as the others dispersed.
I almost smiled watching them clock each other.
“You two should either fuck or fight it out,” I said, as their heads turned toward me simultaneously.“The tension is killing me.”
“Poor choice of words,brat,” Konstantin said, crossing his legs.“What’s up?”
Tau’s eyes lingered on Konstantin a moment longer before returning to me.
“Two men were parked outside Papa’s house. Konstantin—I want you stationed there.” I turned to Tau.“I want you working with my team on the home front. Personal security.”
“The boy?” Tau said.
“What boy?” Konstantin sat up.
“He’ll be watched. By someone less skilled,” I said, which answered both questions without answering either of them fully.
Tau grunted and nodded. His braided hair was tied high and moved with him as he shifted his weight.
“Move Papa to a safe house,” Konstantin said, the displeasure evident.
“He won’t budge. You know what he’s like.”
We might hold a grudge against the old man but he was still our blood. That counted for something, even if neither of us would say so.
“Besides, you know his men. You know the property,” I added.“It makes sense.”
With everything decided I waved my hand and they stood to leave.
I stared at the paperwork waiting on my desk.
“What boy were you talking about?” my brother asked Tau on their way out.
“You’ll never know,” Tau said quietly.
Lethal and loyal. The combination that kept him engaged with the Bratva.
The door closed.
Bogdan, Tikhon, Radovan and Spartak were already briefed on the upcoming changes. Iskra wouldn’t be happy about the extended lockdown. She would find a way to make that known—through Radovan’s reports, through text messages about blood pressure and heirs, through some new variety of insubordination I hadn’t yet anticipated.
But if she carried my child, that child was part of me.
And I intended to keep it safe.
Whatever the cost.
??????
When I emerged from the office Bogdan was in the hall.
“Where is she?” I asked, rolling my head to stretch my neck.
His eyes flicked down the corridor.
